Category: Change is the Only Option

Port, who’s your mom, travel plans…     “Mandy,” Sarita said, “I saw you with that woman off Beth Ann’s ship. Is she your mother?”     “Yes, she came from Refugio and now sails with Beth Ann. I have a couple of half kin that live on the boat. Mom paired up with one of the…

A surprise visit…     Marta turned the spinning session over to one of the other women and led Francos to a small room across the patio. Women around the area stopped and stared. Several were almost nude and seemed to be doing exercises. Others were working in raised garden beds or supervising children. Francos did…

A visit from a school friend, a shocking discovery…     Francos and Megal had a late breakfast. “Have you heard from Captain Okapie?” Megal said in the private dining room. “I was very surprised by the number of vagrants in the crowd last night. I might not have noticed if you had not mentioned it.…

Refugio, sharing the future…     Megal poured himself a cup of wine and leaned against the wall by a small window in his father’s private office. He stared out into the plain where the city of Ciudad Centro had been built. One side of the volcano that formed the caldera had been blown away by…

Arrival in Southmost, a plea for help, work to do…     “Keep that white flag waving. We want them to know we aren’t coming to raid,” Blackie let the ship drift toward the dock where a group of archers were gathered with crossbows aimed at the ship. He leaned on one of the children who…

Hard time in Port…      The last storm had done more damage than they had realized. Spacer and the people who had learned from parents or mentors worked for days to get as much equipment as possible working. The drinking water plant was not yet working so they were back to distilling water with the…

Revenge, death, and changes…     The ruling that Port newbies became crew members when they signed contracts had an impact faster than anyone expected. “We’re going to need more hats and capes for Henry’s crews if Doc is right, and I’m pretty sure she is,” Spacer said. “He is not going to be happy about…

Port discovers a truth….     Sarita thought Mandy might be over her anger by morning, but she was cold and had little to say as they helped families who sheltered in the main house. The two women kept the children busy so the parents could collect nut tree fronds and cut the tree grass to…

Refugio, an inconvenient death, a plan disrupted…     Francos and Megal were discussing how trade agreements with Utopia could help guide the negotiations with Port. Megal pointed out that many of the goods that came from Utopia may have originated in Port.     “I doubt that,” Francos said. “Port does their shipping and raids their…

Utopia Colony, Farm 22, learning the truth…     “If everyone will find a seat, we can start.” Simon knew he had to explain about Sarita. The rumors and gossip were full of bad information. Most of his people believed that this meeting was about the move they would be making.     “I have much to…